Prerequisites for Obtaining Certification
- Minimum of 18 years of age.
- Verification of high school completion or equivalence (See Step 2 below for more information).
- Participants must have access to a computer/internet to take the courses.
- It is required that participants be employed by an accredited Iowa school district as a practicing paraeducator, work as a substitute paraeducator in an accredited Iowa school district or have a teacher and administrator who are willing to mentor you through the certification program.
To obtain a Paraeducator Generalist Certification, you must successfully complete the following three courses:
- Course I - Introduction/Foundation
- Course II - Instructional Support
- Course III - Behavioral Supports
Step 1: Complete Paraeducator Courses
Each of the three Paraeducator Generalist Certification courses involves virtual meetings and completing online units. Participants need access to a computer and the Internet to complete these courses.
Fee for each course: $120 (Total $360)
To view a list of statewide offerings and to register, visit Paraeducator Statewide Course Offerings.
Step 2: Mentoring Process
Participants must have a certified mentor to support them with course activities, oversee a clinical experience and complete observation.
An AEA certifying official must provide an applicant with a signed Paraeducator Certification Recommendation form to obtain a Paraeducator Generalist certification or add an Area of Concentration to a license.
Find your local AEA certifying official
Step 3: Submit Application to the Board of Educational Examiners
The application instructions and assistance will be provided during Course III. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners’ (BOEE) application system is entirely online at the BOEE website.
Verification of High School Completion
As part of the online application process, you will need to upload verification of high school completion. This may be a scanned or electronic copy of a diploma, transcripts, letter from the school district on school letterhead or verification of GED completion. Accepted forms of verification include:
- High school diploma
- High school transcripts with graduation date
- Certificate of GED completion
- Letter on school letterhead from school district individual graduated from with year graduated listed
- Letter from program GED was completed from including year completed
- Letter from the State Department of Education verifying graduation or GED completion
Note: If you completed high school outside of the United States, you will still need to verify your completion. This can be a diploma, a letter from a state agency or a letter from the school. Proof of any education completed above and beyond high school would also be accepted. If you completed a college degree or even several courses from a college or university, that verification would be accepted. If you can have your verification translated into English, that would be helpful. If you are unable to, still submit it to the BOEE, and they will see what they can do. They just need verification that high school was completed.
Background Check & Fingerprinting
The application fee is currently $40, and the background check fee is $35 (+ a $3 convenience fee) payable to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (fees subject to change by BOEE). Applicants will complete their background screenings through Fieldprint® Iowa and pay a fee of $34.35 to them.
Term of Certification
A paraeducator certification is valid for five years.